Dope, drugs, no! Cannabis-based therapy, yes. Wellness is trending towards therapeutic drugs with the benefits of CBD therapy.
One day its Tumeric lattes, now CBD treatments are all the rage advocated by Jennifer Aniston and, of course Gywneth Paltrow. CBD or cannabidiol is a natural ingredient, extracted from agricultural hemp. It can be added to many a spa treatment, laced in chocolate, packaged as a spray for your bag and purchased over the counter in Harrods as well as other stores. The benefits of CBD therapy are plentiful.
A derivative of the marijuana plant, CBD oil is legal in the UK as long as it does not contain more than 0.2% of THC, the crucial component that gives cannabis its psychotic effects. Cannabis can be divided into three sectors – recreational, medical and wellness. The latter is the most widely available through products that use CBD oil, a product that does not make users high. Today it is used in beauty products and dietary supplements.
Since becoming legal in the UK last year, it is popping up everywhere. Raw, CBD reportedly is bitter so adding it to products helps. You can nibble on CBD petit fours – try cannabis and grapefruit marshmallows and a Green Monkey soft drink. It’s a key ingredient of salads and cakes served in a Brighton restaurant which offers a full menu of CBD dishes. There are an increasing number of wellness cafes in London. And check out your shakes and juices, chocolate and mints – they are all rumoured to offer the benefits of CBD therapy, marking it as a “wonder“ingredient.
CBD is one of at least 85 cannabinoid compounds found in cannabis and is popular for its medicinal benefits. The benefits of CBD therapy include the antioxidants within CBD which help to neutralise free radicals and treat signs of ageing. Scientists believe the anti-inflammatory properties can calm inflamed acne. The fatty acids within CBD can soothe itching and inflammation from eczema and psoriasis by combating the excessive water loss of the conditions. Other reported benefits of CBD include pain relief, reducing anxiety and depression and improving cognitive function and memory.
The Benefits of CBD Therapy
With so many benefits of CBD therapy, this natural oil is appealing to those who care about what they eat, drink or apply to their skin. Now that we have climbed out of the cannabis closet we can look forward to high afternoon teas with cannabis chocolate brownies which will give more than a sugar rush. But of course we need to follow the weed etiquette which is now available. CBD is a natural way to wind down, a calorie free option to replace alcoholic and calorific effects of a glass or two of wine, a soothing way to relax physically and mentally. It’s a form of meditation and a catalyst for creativity. But as is the norm, good things come with a warning – inhaling CBD be harmful to lungs and some edibles can be poisonous.
Rudding Park in Harrogate was one of the first spas in the UK to introduce a range of treatments using Cannabidiol products. The hotel and spa has collaborated with MariPharm, a supplier of high quality CBD products, to create a range of experiences which could assist with pain relief, promote anti-ageing, reduce anxiety and depression and support overall positive mental health. All MariPharm products are of pharmaceutical grade and are produced using a unique extraction process, guaranteeing the highest quality at all times.
Outside the UK, the effects are more heady. Welcome to Medical Marijuana. Canada became the second country to legalise recreational marijuana. America’s Colorado, Florida and California have relaxed laws but consuming weed for pleasure is still illegal. Brands are jumping on the bandwagon to cater to a discerning wellness cannabis scene. Marijuana which contains the psychoactive THC and CBD, the non-intoxicating compound derived from the cannabis plant is now becoming part of a wellness lifestyle. According to the California Dept of Public Health cannabis can only be purchased at retail outlets licensed by the California Bureau of Cannabis Control. The city of West Hollywood has licences for upscale cannabis lounges – around Sunset Strip and Santa Monica Boulevard.
